Page:Fables of Aesop and other eminent mythologists.djvu/84

30 Epecially where there are o many Memorials in Sight, for Hatred and Revenge to work upon. 'Tis Generous however to Forgive an Enemy; though Extremely Hazardous to Grace him in the doing of an Ill Thing, with the Countenance of a Deference to his Merit. Nay, a Bare Eaines of Pardoning has but too often the Force of a Temptation to Offend again. 'Tis a Nice Buines to Indulge on the Left Hand, without Punihing on the Right, for there mut be No Sacrificing of a Faithful Friend to the Generoity of Obliging a Mortal Enemy. But the Cae is then mot Deplorate when Reward goes over to the Wrong ide, and when Interet hall be made the Tet and the Meaure of Virtue. Upon the whole Matter, the Countryman was too Eaie, in Propoing a Reconciliation; (the Circumtances duly Conider'd) And the Snake was much in the Right on the Other hand, in not entertaining it from a man that had o many Remembrancers at Hand till, to Provoke him to a Revenge. 'Tis a great Errour to take Facility, for Good Nature: Tendernes, without Dicretion, is no better than a mere Pardonable Folly.

Here was a Great Friendhip once betwixt a Fox and a Stork, and the Former would needs Invite the Other to a Treat. They had Several Soups erv'd up in Broad Dihes and Plates, and o the Fox fell to Lapping, Himelf, and bad his Guet Heartily Welcom to what was before him. The Stork found he was Put upon, but let o Good a Face however upon his Entertainment; that his Friend by All means mut take a Supper with Him That night in Revenge. The Fox made Several Excues upon the Matter of Trouble and Expence, but the Stork in fine, would not be aid Nay; So that at lat, he promis'd him to come. The Collation was erv'd up in Glaes, with Long Narrow Necks, and the Bed of Every thing that was to be had. Come (ays the Stork to his Friend) Pray be as Free as if you were at home, and o fell to 't very Savourly Himelf. The Fox quickly found This to be a Trick, though he could not but Allow of the Contrivance as well as the Jutice of the Revenge. For uch a Glas of Sweet-Meats to the One, was jut as much to the Purpoe, as a Plate of Porridge to the Other.